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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare Category 5 storm as it turns toward the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by early next week, according to meteorological authorities.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Seek shelter now," residents have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A highest-level cyclone is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.

While this storm is projected to reduce in intensity to a category four hurricane before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected long before it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many landslides," urged weather authorities.

The country's head of government the official stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the best way to handle nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have caused two deaths in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

Melissa is forecast to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Background

Although it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is making weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat generate greater water vapor in the air, aiding in the creation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.